Nairobi, Kenya – Rwanda Women put in a strong all-round performance to defeat Kenya Women by 26 runs in the second T20I of their ongoing five-match series at the Sikh Union Club Ground on September 11, 2024. This win saw Rwanda level the series 1-1, with Belise Murekatete delivering an outstanding bowling performance to clinch the Player of the Match award.
Rwanda Women, opting to bat first after winning the toss, posted a competitive total of 114/6 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Gisele Ishimwe, who played an attacking knock of 34 off 28 balls with 6 boundaries. Henriette Ishimwe also contributed a solid 20 off 25 balls. Kenya’s bowlers, led by Esther Wachira with figures of 2/26 and Melvin Khagoitsa with 1/11, managed to stem the flow of runs but couldn’t stop Rwanda from setting a tricky target.
In response, Kenya Women struggled to build momentum, with Belise Murekatete wreaking havoc in the Kenyan batting lineup. She claimed 3 wickets for just 14 runs in her 4 overs, including the key wickets of Kreeshna Mehta, Queentor Abel, and Janet Nthenya. Rosine Irera also provided crucial support, picking up 2 wickets for 16 runs.
Despite the best efforts of Esther Wachira, who top-scored for Kenya with 22 off 37 balls, the home team could only muster 88/9 in their 20 overs, falling 26 runs short of the target. Melvin Khagoitsa contributed with a brisk 18 off 17 balls, but Kenya couldn’t build enough partnerships to challenge the Rwandan total.
Key Highlights:
- Gisele Ishimwe top-scored for Rwanda with 34 off 28 balls, while Henriette Ishimwe added a valuable 20 off 25 balls.
- Kenya’s Esther Wachira impressed with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 26 runs, and also contributed 22 runs with the bat.
- Belise Murekatete was the star for Rwanda, finishing with figures of 3/14, dismantling Kenya’s batting order.
- Rwanda’s bowlers, led by Murekatete and Rosine Irera, restricted Kenya to 88/9, securing a comfortable 26-run victory.
Brief Scores:
Rwanda Women: 114/6 in 20 overs (Gisele Ishimwe 34, Henriette Ishimwe 20, Esther Wachira 2/26, Melvin Khagoitsa 1/11)
Kenya Women: 88/9 in 20 overs (Esther Wachira 22, Melvin Khagoitsa 18, Belise Murekatete 3/14, Rosine Irera 2/16)
Result: Rwanda Women won by 26 runs
Player of the Match: Belise Murekatete (RWA-W) – 3/14
This victory allowed Rwanda Women to level the five-match series at 1-1, with all to play for in the upcoming matches.
